LPGA Facing Many Challenges Amid Economic Slowdown
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Pepper Feels LPGA Should
Adjust Its Business Model In '09 |
This season was "to be a watershed year" for the LPGA, as "about one-third of the tournament contracts expire in '09, as do the tour's TV deals with ESPN and Golf Channel," according to Ron Sirak of GOLFWEEK. But now, through reasons due to the economic recession, which was "completely outside its control, ... the LPGA faces perhaps the most challenging season in its 59-year history." The LPGA reacted to the crisis by "overhauling its business model last week." LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens: "The reorganization was driven by our strategic plan and our five strategic imperatives. ... The current economic environment simply provides another reason to evaluate the organizational structure and process required to deliver the strategic plan as efficiently and effectively as possible" (GOLFWEEK, 1/19 issue). In a special to GOLF.com, NBC golf analyst Dottie Pepper wrote under the header, "LPGA Tour Needs To Adjust Its Business Model." The "hard-line business practices the LPGA has adopted in the last few years need to be softened." Pepper wrote next year "promises to be the hardest ever for the LPGA to assemble a schedule and a television deal, but it won't be impossible if there's a major attitude adjustment to go with the new strategic business plan" (GOLF.com, 1/14).
HURRY BACK, TIGER: In Raleigh, Caulton Tudor wrote under the header, "Golf Needs Tiger Now More Than Ever." It is "safe to predict that the near future" of the PGA Tour will hinge on Tiger Woods' ability to "come through with a one-man financial bailout performance for his fellow pros." If Woods "doesn't come back soon -- and strong -- the future is here for those many players who banked early and often by living on his coattails" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 1/15). In West Palm Beach, Greg Stoda wrote the "whole of the PGA Tour season ... can be encapsulated in a couple of five-word questions: When is Tiger coming back? How good will he be?" (PALM BEACH POST, 1/14).
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